In occasione dell’Executive Board del PAM, l’ambasciatore Ghisi ha tenuto un discorso nel quale ha sottolineato l’importanza di rafforzare la capacità di risposta alle emergenze umanitarie, i partnenariati con il settore privato e le ONG e la collaborazione fra le RBA per raggiungere l’obiettivo comune “Zero Hunger”. L’Ambasciatore ha, inoltre, colto l’occasione per evidenziare le priorità in campo umanitario dell’imminente Presidenza italiana del Consiglio UE: le crisi protratte, la protezione delle categorie sociali più deboli nei conflitti, la collaborazione con le protezioni civili e le attività di advocacy con paesi terzi e partner.
Di seguito il testo completo dell’intervento:
ANNUAL SESSION OF THE WFP EXECUTIVE BOARD – (Roma – WFP– June 2014) – Statement of the Permanent Representative of Italy, Ambassador Gianni Ghisi at the opening session As delivered
Madame President,
Let me briefly respond to the Executive Director’s comprehensive statement, first of all by reiterating the Italian strong appreciation for the crucial role that WFP, under the brilliant leadership of the ED, is playing in the more and more complex scenarios of humanitarian crises. We congratulate WFP for its continuous and visible progress in the “fit for purpose journey”. Let me also thank the WFP staff for its strong commitment and spirit of service, often under very difficult circumstances and at a very high risk for their life.
But allow me also to thank our special Guest, UE Commissioner Georgieva, for having shared with us lessons learned together, and for having highlighted the importance of focusing to resilience.
From both statements we see that unfortunately what the Executive Director stated at the February Board, “2014 is a record year for major emergency responses”, is reconfirmed. It is also reconfirmed that, despite all the achievements by WFP in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization, despite the generosity of donors, gaps between needs and the response sadly remain in the food and humanitarian assistance.
Although, as Ms Cousin put it “financial limitations should not limit achievement” (we fully sympathize and support this), the gap between needs and resources is an untenable situation that the International Community should address in a comprehensive and exhaustive manner. Italy is confident that the World Humanitarian Summit of May 2016 will be a turning point in this regard. It is indeed time now “to expand the humanitarian dialogue and address partnership in a changing landscape” to be better prepared for important decisions in 2016. In this regard I wish to acknowledge that WFP has timely drafted an engagement strategy and will participate in regional consultations leading up to the summit. We understand that WFP special focus will be on innovation and effectiveness, a choice that Italy fully endorses. We are ready support, as a member State but also in our capacity of incoming EU Presidency, the WFP engagement in the World Humanitarian Summit preparation, conveying it added value of “humanitarism ” (to quote the Executive Director).
Madame President,
Another global exercise of strategic relevance for WFP work is indeed the ongoing debate on post-2015 development agenda. Italy is strongly engaged at endorsing the definition of a comprehensive and coherent framework with universal coverage, recognising national ownership and common responsibilities.
Under this umbrella, let me stress that gender empowerment is crucial and we appreciate the efforts WFP (and the ED in particular) undertook to address the issue, which -we think- should be approached by creating a tight connection between the three dimensions of food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture. In this sense we consider particularly important the joint work accomplished by the Rome based Agencies in the area of the Zero Hunger Challenge, including the contribution to the UN Participation to EXPO 2015 “Feeding the Planet”. The targets and indicators on food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture elaborated by the three RBAs will facilitate future achievements to break the circle of hunger.
I would also like to link WFP engagement in drafting the Post-2015 Agenda with the efforts put in the Corporate Partnership Strategy, to reaffirm Italy’s view on the importance of partnering with the private sector and the NGOs world as a fundamental, innovative factor also in emergencies. What is at stake is not just a way of finding new resources, rather to build a true ‘Alliance for development’.
Madame President,
allow me now to share with the Board the main priorities of the upcoming Italian Presidency of the EU, that I believe will be interesting and relevant in the light of the ongoing and future collaboration of EU and its Members States with WFP.
First of all, while continuing to closely monitor ongoing and emerging humanitarian crises, special emphasis will be placed on protracted crises.
Another key thematic priority will be the protection of vulnerable groups in emergencies, in particular women, children and people with disabilities. In this context, the EU Italian presidency will stimulate discussions on ways to address gender-based violence and violence against children in conflict and emergencies.
In light of a growing number of people affected by conflicts, the Italian Presidency will aim at further step up humanitarian advocacy vis-à-vis third countries and partner organisations.
Another key point will be on strengthening the links with Civil protection, in a drive to exploit synergies, minimise gaps and overlaps in EU emergency assistance, with a view of enhancing disaster reduction preparedness and humanitarian assistance to victims of natural disasters.
This brings me to another priority, which is the use of new technologies, not only for disaster prevention, but also for the improvement of the efficiency and and efficacy of international assistance. As I stressed earlier, innovation will be one of the main topics at the 2016 Humanitarian Summit and we are glad that WFP has chosen it, as one of its two main focuses for its engagement, and look forward to a close and fruitful collaboration.
Mme Chairperson,
the preparation of the Second International Conference on Nutrition, that will be held in Rome from 19 to 21 November, is progressing and we are aware that WFP is contributing as a member of the Steering Committee. In this regard, as I did in previous occasions, I wish to commend WFP commitment towards improving the nutrition component of its programmes. We consider nutrition as a cross-cutting topic that both relates to patterns of production and consumption. Ensuring food security, adequate nutrition and sustainable food systems is today a global challenge that must address first and foremost the nutritional status of rural populations in developing countries, especially in contexts of emergencies in order to prevent the cycle of under-nutrition.
Since we consider that WFP experience and approach could bring an added value to the outcome of ICN2, I would appreciate if the ED could elaborate a bit more on how WFP intends to contribute to the success of the Conference, in the broader framework of Zero Hunger Challenge-
Thank you.
